Chapter 14

           When,attheconclusionofmyfirsttendays’terminthejacket,IwasbroughtbacktoconsciousnessbyDoctorJackson’sthumbpressingopenaneyelid,IopenedbotheyesandsmiledupintothefaceofWardenAtherton.

           “Toocussedtoliveandtoomeantodie,”washiscomment.

           “Thetendaysareup,Warden,”Iwhispered.

           “Well,we’regoingtounlaceyou,”hegrowled.

           “Itisnotthat,”Isaid.“Youobservedmysmile.Yourememberwehadalittlewager.Don’tbothertounlacemefirst.JustgivetheBullDurhamandcigarettepaperstoMorrellandOppenheimer.Andforfullmeasurehere’sanothersmile.”

           “Oh,Iknowyourkind,Standing,”theWardenlectured.“Butitwon’tgetyouanything.IfIdon’tbreakyou,you’llbreakallstrait-jacketrecords.”

           “He’sbrokenthemalready,”DoctorJacksonsaid.“Whoeverheardofamansmilingaftertendaysofit?”

           “Wellandbluff,”WardenAthertonanswered.“Unlacehim,Hutchins.”

           “Whysuchhaste?”Iqueried,inawhisper,ofcourse,forsolowhadlifeebbedinmethatitrequiredallthelittlestrengthIpossessedandallthewillofmetobeabletowhispereven.